any insight?, page-2

Looked into this myself a while back.
couldnt find much of any real use but i did find this,also found that previous eis approvals for similar projects ranged from 58 days to 21 years, with the average being touch over 3 years.
As for boulders, they did say it should be ready for submission by late december last year.

would be keen to hear a little more about this myself...


Environmental impact statement process
How an EIS is prepared

What is the process for an EIS?
If an EIS is required the proponent must write to ACTPLA asking for a scoping document. This document outlines what must be addressed in the EIS.

At this stage the proponent must provide information about the proposed works such as:

?a description of the proposal
?the legal land description
?their name and contact details
?the nature of proposed development
?details of any plans that will help to understand the magnitude of the proposal, and
?any background studies that have been completed (optional).
For a full list of information that needs to be provided see page 4 of the Request for scoping document.

An application fee applies once the application has been accepted (after undergoing a completeness check). A fee advice is then issued.

ACTPLA then prepares a scoping document, consults with prescribed entities and writes to the proponent within 30 workings days of the fee being paid, to tell them what needs to be addressed in the EIS.

The proponent then prepares a draft EIS and submits a draft to ACTPLA, which publicly notifies the document for a minimum of 20 workings days. ACTPLA considers the draft against the scoping document. ACTPLA then provides the proponent with any representations received and any comments ACTPLA has on the draft. The proponent then revises the draft EIS taking these representations and comments into account.

Once an EIS is accepted, ACTPLA refers it to the Minister. The Minister decides within 15 working days whether to call an inquiry, and if so, receives an inquiry report within 60 days of establishing the inquiry panel.

If the decision to establish an inquiry is not made within the 15 working days, then the EIS is complete. The Minister can also determine that the EIS is complete before the 15 working days expires.

The Minister may decide to present the EIS to the Legislative Assembly for information.

The Minister may also refer the EIS to the Commonwealth Minister if a decision on a controlled action is required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Minister for Planning?s role
The Minister for Planning can:

?request an EIS in relation to a development
?initiate an EIS when there are potential significant public health impacts associated with a development proposal or environmental impacts associated with activities requiring environmental authorisation and those activities are not the subject of a development application
?decide whether to establish a panel to conduct an inquiry about the EIS
?decide to exempt a development from requiring an EIS under s. 211 of the Act.
Environmental authorisations
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) can use EIS provisions for assessing an application for an environmental authorisation under the Environment Protection Act 1997. The EPA can only do this if the activity for which an environmental authorisation is sought is not the subject of a development application.

What happens when the EIS process is complete?
When an EIS process is completed a development application can be lodged. When the development application is notified representations on the application may relate to whether the development meets or does not meet any finding or recommendation of the EIS. They can?t relate to the adequacy of the EIS.


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